NFL to allow teams to display casino ads

NEW YORK -- The NFL has approved a move to bring casino advertising into its stadiums for the first time.

The league said it is up to individual teams whether they want to sell any of the three approved types of casino advertising: home stadium billboards, game-day programs and those on radio broadcasts.

Both the Jets and Giants' owners voiced interest in accepting casino advertising at MetLife Stadium.

A typical team could reap up to $6 million a year from casino ads, according to industry reports.

"This is another example of the NFL prudently opening up new business opportunities [and we] will explore it thoughtfully," said Jets owner Woody Johnson.

The NFL will get five percent of all the clubs' casino ad take to finance the league's "gambling education" program.

However, there are some limitations on the ads.

No images of players, coaches or team trademarks can appear in ads, which must also carry a "prominent responsible gambling message," according to an NFL memo to owners, which was obtained by the Post.

Ads cannot depict people gambling, or carry any motivational text, such as "come out and win big," the memo said. Display ads are also limited to interior concourses and upper bowl seating areas not normally seen in telecasts.

The Post reported in late March that the idea of allowing casino ads was under consideration at the NFL meetings.